04 November 2011

The 'Boris effect' in Barking & Dagenham

By Simon Jones, Boris supporter, Barking & Dagenham

We all like people who say it as it is, who deliver what they say they will, especially here in Barking and Dagenham. We have grown to appreciate that a Mayor can make a difference to our lives, even in zones three to six.

Boris said that he would get rid of the newspaper ‘The Londoner’ that clogged up our letterboxes with propaganda from City Hall and instead use the money for planting trees. Over 1,000 have been planted since, and they are helping transform this area into a greener place to live and work.

For years I felt we were the forgotten part of London - we no longer feel that. In a refreshing start to his Mayoral life, Boris came to Barking and Dagenham within hours of his victory in 2008 to launch his ambition to deliver a safer place to live.

The top concern in this area has always been crime. The observation used to be ‘you only see police in pairs and they are never there when you need them’. Since Boris introduced single patrolling I've seen more police on the streets, and they are more responsive and I feel safer. I've also seen an unbelievable increase in Specials Constables on the beat.

Don’t get me wrong, there is much still to be done, but we are really starting to notice the Boris effect. As someone who has proud roots in this part of the world, come next May I want to see Boris back doing what he knows best – delivering for Barking and Dagenham.